Lamination assembling apparatus

ABSTRACT

Laminations of ferromagnetic sheet materials such as steel are assembled into a magnetic structure through use of an apparatus having a plurality of lamination picking devices each for engaging one of a corresponding type of lamination and moving an engaged lamination from a magazine toward an assembly located and a plurality of lamination inserting devices each for inserting one of a corresponding type of lamination into an assembly being formed in tandem with one of the other type of lamination. The lamination insertion devices cooperate in a particular manner with a nest structure at the location of magnetic structure assembly.

United States Patent [191 Nieder et al.

[ Dec. 24, 1974 1 LAMINATION ASSEMBLING APPARATUS [76] Inventors: Berthold L. Nieder, Page Rd., RFD

3, Bow, NH. 03054; David L. Tyson, 203 Loudon Rd., Concord, N.l-l. 03301 [22] Filed: Nov. 19, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 417,039

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,634,919 l/l972 Nieder 29/203 L Primary Examiner-Thomas H. Eager Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Parrott, Bell, Seltzer, Park & Gibson [57] ABSTRACT Laminations of ferromagnetic sheet materials such as steel are assembled into a magnetic structure through use of an apparatus having a plurality of lamination picking devices each for engaging one of a corre sponding type of lamination and moving an engaged lamination from a magazine toward an assembly located and a plurality of lamination inserting devices each for inserting one of a corresponding type of lamination into an assembly being formed in tandem with one of the other type of lamination. The lamination insertion devices cooperate in a particular manner with a nest structure at the location of magnetic structure assembly.

12 Claims, 17 Drawing Figures PATENTEU 8&[1241974 SHEET 2 BF 6 1 LAMINATION ASSEMBLING APPARATUS Electrical and electronic technology make wide use of inductors and other devices which employ a magnetic structure. In many instances, the magnetic structure is formed by assembled numbers of laminations,

prepared by punching or other forming of ferromagnetic sheet materials such as steel. l-Ieretofore, the assembly of laminations into a magnetic structure has been accomplished by apparatus to which laminations to be assembled are received in magazines and are inserted as required into a structure being assembled.

In prior lamination assembling apparatus, difficulties have been encountered in attempting to accommodate a range of sizes of laminations. This difficulty has been increased as the variety of sizes of inductors and the like used in the electrical and electronic industries has increased. Additional difficulties encountered with prior apparatus have involved the guiding of laminations into the assembled magnetic structure and the completion of a magnetic structure formed within a window" or central opening of a coil form, core or the like.

Certain of the aforementioned difficulties have been overcome or avoided through arrangements in which elements of a lamination assembling apparatus have been supported and mounted to accommodate adjusting movement. While such arrangements increase the range of lamination sizes which may be accommodated, it would be desirable to achieve still broader ranges of adjustability and to additionally overcome or avoid the secondary difficulties mentioned hereinabove.

In overcoming and avoiding the difficulties and deficiencies mentioned above, it is an object of this invention to receive laminations being assembled into a magnetic structure within a nest device which supports the magnetic structure being assembled while guiding laminations into assembled relation and cooperating with lamination insertion devices. In realizing this object of the invention, nest devices of varying sizes are readily accommodated, so that the range of sizes of laminations which may be assembled is increased. Further, through particular cooperation of the nest structure and the lamination insertion devices, proper insertion of laminations and assembly of an entire magnetic structure are assured.

A further object of this invention is to accommodate a broader range of adjustability in a lamination assembling apparatus by controlling movement of a lamination insertion device between an extended and re tracted position in accordance with the specific lamination being employed and assembly being formed. In realizing this object of the present invention, the lamination insertion devices are moved between extended and retracted positions in particular coordination with the insertion of a lamination into a magnetic structure being assembled.

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceeds, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which FIG. 1 is a plan view of an apparatus in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an elevation view, partially in section, taken along the line 33 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an inductor incorporating a magnetic structure assembled in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a partial elevation view taken along the line 55 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a partial elevation view, partly in section, taken along the line 66 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 5, taken along the line 7-7 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a partial plan view to FIG. 7, illustrating one particular phase of movement of the elements of the apparatus of this invention;

FIG. 9 is a partial elevation view, taken along the line 9-9 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a partial elevation view, partly in section, taken along the line 10l0 in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of portions of the apparatus in accordance with this invention, illustrating the cooperation of a nest structure with lamination insertion devices;

FIG. 12 is a reduced scale elevation view, partly in section, illustrating certain phases of operation of the nest structure of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a partial perspective view of a lamination picking device incorporated in the apparatus of this invention;

FIG. 14 is a partial elevation view of a portion of the apparatus of this invention, showing a lamination insertion device in an erected position;

FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 14, showing a lamination insertion device in a retracted position;

FIG. 16 is a plan view of a first type of lamination insertion device employed in the apparatus of this invention; and

FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. 16, illustrating a second type of lamination insertion device.

The description which follows and the illustrations to which the description specifically refers are intended as showing the best mode of this invention contemplated at the time of this description. However, it is to be understood at the outset that this invention is viewed as having broad significance and applicability and the description and illustrations are accordingly not to be understood broadly and not as limiting the scope of this invention.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings which illustrate the preferred embodiment for the apparatus of this invention, a front main frame member 20 and a rear main frame member 21 support subframe members 24, 25, 26, 27 from which other elements of the apparatus of this invention are mounted and with which other elements cooperate. In order to avoid undue repetition, the arrangement and support of the members 20-27 will not here be described in detail and interested persons are referred to US. Pat. No. 3,634,919 for disclosure of such an arrangement. To the extent that such prior description is necessary for a full and clear understanding of this invention, such description is hereby incorporated by reference into this description.

Mounted on the right front subframe 24, right rear subframe 25, left front subframe 26, and left rear subframe 27 are corresponding uprising stack receiving members 34a, 34b, 35a, 35b, 36a, 36b, 37a, 37b which cooperate to define first magazine means 30a, 31a and partly in section,

a second magazine means 30b, 31b which respectively retain stacks of a first type of lamination and stacks of a second type of lamination. In the specific embodiment illustrated, the first magazine means 30a, 31a retain stacks of the type of lamination known as an I lamination while the second magazine means 30b, 31b retain stacks of the type of lamination known as an E lamination. As will be understood, each magazine means comprises a pair of uprising members which retain a corresponding stack of laminations therebetween. By way of example, the magazine means 30a is defined by the uprising members 34a, 35a. Further, the magazine means comprises pairs of stack receiving means for retaining corresponding types of laminations, one located to each side of the central position of the apparatus. By way of example, the first magazine means 30a, 31a each receive I laminations and are arranged on opposite sides of the central position of the apparatus of this invention for purposes to be brought out more fully hereinafter. It is further to be noted that the pairs of stack receiving means, such as the pair 30a, 31a converge upwardly at an angle of about fifteen degrees to the vertical (FIG. 2) for retaining stacks of laminations with the upper portions thereof leaning one toward another and towards the central portion of the apparatus.

Located centrally within the apparatus of this invention is a nest means for receiving laminations to be assembled into a magnetic structure and for supporting the magnetic structure so assembled. The nest means,

located generally as indicated at 38 in the drawings, is an important element of the apparatus of this invention, as will be pointed out more fully hereinafter. As illustrated particularly in FIG. 11, the nest means 38 includes a front nest frame member 39 and a rear nest frame member 40. The front end and rear nest frame members 39, 40 are supported in spaced relation one to another by engagement with the subframe members 24-27, being provided with notch portions 41 in lower side corners for engagement with underlying support pins extending from the subframe members 24-27.

Between the nest frame members 39, 40 are mounted a pair of opposing jaw means 43, 44 which enter into a core into which laminations are to be assembled. By way of example, the core may comprise a wound coil 45 (FIG. 12) or may comprise a bobbin about which such a coil is wound or is to be wound. The opposing jaw means 43, 44 may be spread apart or moved toward one another toward the cooperation thereof with parallel control shafts 47, 48 actuated by a control lever 49 adjacent the front main frame member 20. The control lever 49 is operatively connected with one of the control shafts 48, while a pair of meshing gears 50, 51 interconnects the control shafts 47, 48. Interchangeability of the asi'rfiaflg 38 is accommodated by vertical pins 52, 53 which extend from the colntrol shafts 47, 48 to cooperate with the jaw means of any selected nest means 38 which is inserted into the apparatus of this invention in selecting sizes of laminations and cores to be accommodated.

As will be pointed out more fully hereinafter, the jaw means 43, 44 cooperate with lamination insertion means in guiding laminations being inserted into position underlying a magnetic structure being formed. Further, the jaw means 43, 44 accommodate rising movement of the magnetic structure as it is assembled and accommodate insertion of the entire number of laminations required in forming the magnetic structure being assembled.

In order to insert laminations into the nest means 38, the present invention provides a plurality of lamination picking means, a plurality of lamination insertion means, and drive means operatively connected with the picking means and the insertion means. As will be pointed out more fully hereinafter, each of the picking means, insertion means, and drive means cooperates with the magazine means and nest means described hereinabove in accomplishing desired operation for the apparatus of this invention.

The drive means derives rotational motive power from a suitable source such as an electric motor 55 (FIG. 1) and transmits such motive power to a main drive shaft 56. The main drive shaft is operatively connected with a main drive sprocket 58, which is driven in rotation to drive a chain 59 in movement along an endless closed path defined between the drive sprocket 58 and an idler sprocket 60. The chain 59 includes a drive pin 61 which extends into a vertically elongated slot 62 defined in a drive block 64. By means of such aconnection, the drive block 64 is reciprocated along a pair of guide bars 65, 66 and imparts reciprocating motion toward and away from the nest 38 to a foreand-aft drive pin 68. By means of the drive pin 68, such motion is imparted to a pair of slide bars 70, 71. Each of the slide bars 70, 71 is operatively connected with a corresponding plurality of front or rear lamination picking means and lamination insertion means.

Referring now more particularly to the slide bars 70, 71 which are connected with the lamination picking means and lamination insertion means which are operative in the right portion of the apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, and as more particularly illustrated in FIGS. 5-8, 11 and 13-17, it is to be noted that a pair of lamination pickers 74a, 75a, are disposed adjacent the magazine means 30a for engaging the type of lamination retained therein and a pair of lamination pickers 74b, 75b are disposedadjacent the magazine means 30b for similarly engaging the type of lamination disposed therein.

In each instance, the lamination picker is driven by an operative interconnection with the corresponding slide bar established by a mounting means which penetrates the corresponding subframe. In the instance of the lamination picker 74b (as shown in FIGS. 5, 7, and 8) the driving connection is established by means of a pivot pin and a limiting pin 82, each of which penetrates the lamination picker 74b and a picker control arm 84. The picker control arm 84 and guide rollers 85 are shown in FIG. 5. A mirror image picker control arm, guide rollers and lamination picker are shown in FIG. 13. The drive which interconnects the picker 74a, 75a with corresponding slide bars 70 and 71 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 9. FIG. 5 shows the arrangement which drives the cooperating pickers 74a and 74b. In this instance the picker control arms 84 and 94 on which the cooperating pickers 74b and 74a are mounted is clearly shown in FIG. 5 and are connected with the corresponding slide bar 70 by means of pairs of links 89, and 95, 96.

In accordance with an important feature of this invention, oscillation of the slide bars results in the leading end of the pickers being raised and lowered to alternately pass beneath the stack of Iarninations retained in the corresponding magazine means and engage the lowermost lamination for movement thereof to an intermediate position. This operation of picker 74b is illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. In FIG. 7, the picker 74b is shown as though moving in a forward stroke toward the nest means 38. In such movement, the leading end of the picker 74b pivots upwardly (as indicated by the arrow thereon) about the pivot axis defined by the mounting pin 80, to be raised toward the lamination stack retained within the corresponding magazine means 30a, 30b so as to engage the lowermost lamination and push the lamination beneath the stack toward the nest means. On such pushing of the lamination from the magazine means 30a, 30b, the I and E laminations slide on a support surface defined by the upper surface of underlying members 91, move to a generally horizontal position, and the I lamination is prevented from advancing too far by frictional engagement with a downwardly springloaded ball member 92.

During movement of the picker 74b away from the nest means 38 or in a backstroke direction, the leading end of the picker 74b is pivoted to a lowered position (FIG. 8) away from engagement with laminations retained within the corresponding magazine 30a and the picker 74b slides along the support surface defined by the member 91. Thus, the picker 74b engages laminations on the forward stroke only, when moving toward the nest means 38.

The other pickers employed in the apparatus of this invention are similarly actuated, with the degree of arcuate movement of each lamination picker being limited. By way of example, the lamination picker mounted on the picker control arm 94 (FIG. 5) is operatively interconnected with the corresponding slide bar 70 by a linkage including link members 95, 96 and functions generally in the manner described hereinabove.

In each instance, the magazine means 30a, 30b, 31a, 31b have a pair of lamination pickers associated with each magazine. Thus each lamination to be moved from a magazine toward the nest means is engaged by a pair of lamination pickers, one adjacent each of the corresponding subframes 24, 25, 26, 27. With each reciprocation of the slide bars 70, 71, the cooperating pairs of lamination pickers are moved to a position to the remote side of the laminations from the nest means (during the backstroke movement such as illustrated in FIG. 8); moved in a forward stroke toward the nest means; raised to an operative position for engagement with laminations; and move a pair of one first type of lamination and one second type of lamination to a generally horizontal disposition in corresponding intermediate positions. This movement is in tandem, in that one first type of lamination and one second type of lamination move one behind the other into the respective intermediate positions.

Each of the magazine means 30a, 30b, 31a, 31b is constructed to accommodate laminations of varying thicknesses. In particular, this invention provides that the gate opening through which the lowermost laminations are pushed from beneath the corresponding stack may be adjusted to permit removal of selected thickness laminations. As a result, the apparatus of this invention will properly accommodate laminations of the usual range of gauge.

In order to insert laminations into the nest means in tandem, a plurality of lamination insertion means are provided and each is mounted for movement between the magazine means and the nest means. Each of the plurality of lamination insertion means cooperates in inserting one of a corresponding type of lamination from the corresponding intermediate position into the nest means, in tandem with one of the other type of lamination. Further, each of the insertion means is arranged for movement between an erected position for arrangement with a lamination to be inserted, and a retracted position withdrawn from lamination engagement.

Similarly to the discussion hereinabove of the laminating picking means, the discussion of lamination insertion means will proceed with particular reference to those illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it being understood that the specific discussion of illustrated lamination insertion means is contemplated as being representative of the characteristics of all. Referring particularly to FIGS. 5-7, 11, and 14-17, each lamination insertion means comprises a group of three link means such as the members a, 100b, and 100C of the E insertor exposed to view FIG. 7. The E insertor there visible, generally indicated at 101, is driven in reciprocation by the slide bar 71 and cooperates with a parallel lamination insertion means generally indicated at 102 visible in phantom lines in FIG. 5, and driven in movement by the parallel slide bar 70.

ln accordance with an important feature of this invention, the lamination insertion means 101 moves between an erected position for engagement with a lamination to be inserted (FIG. 14) and a retracted position withdrawn from lamination engagement (FIG. 15). Preferably, by means of a coil spring engaging a pivot mounting pin 104 for the link member 1000, the mounted insertion means 101 is urged toward the retracted position of FIG. 15. However, the locations of the cooperating pivot pins 105, 106, 107 which join the three links 100a, 100b, 1006 together are such that the links form a toggle capable of locking in the erected position (FIG. 14) due to an over center positioning of one pivot pin 106 relative to cooperating pivot pins 105, 107. Thus, the lamination insertion means 101 is stable in each of the two positions between which it moves. The other lamination insertion means incorporated in the apparatus of this invention are similarly arranged and operative.

Movement of the lamination insertion means between erected and retracted positions is accomplished by insertor knockdown means for moving insertion means from the erected position to the retracted position and insertor setup means for moving the insertion means from the retracted position to the erected position. In accordance with this invention, such movement of the insertion means between these two positions is accomplished by cooperation of abutments with projecting portions of a pivot pin 106 located between two links 100b, 1006. It is at the point of this cooperation with a protruding pivot pin 106 that distinction is drawn between an I insertor (FIG. 16) and an E insertor (FIG. 17), in that the operative pivot pin 106 of an E insertor projects only to one side while the operative pivot pin of an I insertor projects to both sides.

In either instance, the insertor knockdown means comprises a portion of the nest means 38, and specifically comprises an abutment surface 111 positioned in predetermined relation to the nest means 38 and coordinated to the sizes of laminations to be inserted. As

will be apparent, a lamination insertion means moving towards the nest means 38 and pushing a lamination will engage the abutment surface 111 with the actuating pivot pin 106 and will be moved from the over center or locked toggle position of FIG. 14 toward the unlocked and retracted position of FIG. 15. Such an occurrence is illustrated in FIG. 11, where an I insertor has been knocked down. Due to particular selection of the nest means 38 for accommodation of the lamination sizes being handled, such relief of engagement of the laminations to be inserted occurs at the precise position of full insertion of the lamination into the magnetic structure being assembled.

The lamination insertors are restored to the erected position on backward movement away from the nest means 38 by engagement of the actuating pivot pin 106, 110 with an insertor setup means adjacent the magazine means. As to the I insertor, the insertor setup means takes the form of an abutment 112 (FIG. 6 in the phantom lines in FIG. formed at the termination of a groove extending along the corresponding subfrarne member 24. As to the E" insertor, the setup means is defined by the terminal portion 114 of a groove formed in the member which defines the support surface for laminations being inserted into the nest means 38.

In accordance with an important feature of this invention, the drive means and insertion means cooperate for passing each of the insertion means below the magnetic structure being assembled at the nest means. That is, the stroke of movement of the drive means is such as to carry the E and I insertors beyond the point at which the insertors are knocked down. This accommodation of a stroke greater than the stroke minimally required for the insertion of laminations is an important feature of this invention which permits ready adjustment to laminations and magnetic structures of varying sizes by interchange of nest means 38.

As laminations are inserted into the nest means 38, the laminations are guided upwardly onto the supporting surfaces of the jaw means 43, 44, by sloped cam surfaces 121, 122 provided thereon. As laminations are further inserted, leading edges of the laminations engage support rollers 124a, 124b, 125a, 125b, 126a, 126b, 127a, 127k provided on the nest means 38 and are lifted into position beneath the magnetic structure being formed. Such lifting of the laminations provides clearance space between the upper surfaces of the jaw members 43, 44 and to the lowermost lamination (FIG. 12) thereby aiding in the introduction of additional laminations to be inserted. Stop members 130, 131 are mounted for a pivotal movement adjacent the nest means 38 and are biased by cooperating springs 132, 133 to engage the side edges of the magnetic structure. Due to the biasing springs and the pivotal mounting in the backstop means 130, 131, laminations being inserted into the magnetic structure from the direction from the backstop means are freely admitted into the magnetic structure while pushing of oppositely inserted laminations from the magnetic structure such as might otherwise result from friction is precluded.

As assembly of the magnetic structure continues, the magnetic structure rises until engagement is made with the lower end of a height sensing member 135. Upon the height of the magnetic structure indicating that the required number of laminations have been inserted, engagement with the member 135 causes pivotal movement of a switch actuating member 136 which actuates an electrical switch 138 to interrupt operation of the apparatus.

Substantially simultaneously, cam surfaces 140, 141 formed on the adjacent ends of the opposing jaw members 43, 44 will have engaged the core 45 (FIG. 12) and will have cammed the jaw members 43, 44 apart to withdraw the jaw members from the core 45. In accor' dance with an important feature of this invention, this withdrawal of jaw means 43, 44 accommodates entire filling of the window within the core 45, thereby avoiding the necessity of manual insertion of the last few lamination sets as heretofore has been typical of lamination assembly apparatus.

In the drawings and specification, there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention, and although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

That which is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for assembling laminations into a magnetic structure and comprising:

first and second magazine means for respectively retaining stacks of a first type of lamination and of a second type of lamination,

nest means mounted in predetermined spaced relation to said magazine means for receiving laminations being assembled into a magnetic structure and for supporting the magnetic structure so assembled,

plurality of lamination picking means each mounted adjacent a corresponding one of said magazine means for engaging one of the corresponding type of lamination and for moving the one type of lamination from the one magazine means toward said nest means and to an intermediate position,

plurality of lamination insertion means each mounted for movement between said magazine means and said nest means and each for inserting one of a corresponding type of lamination into said nest means in tandem with one of the other type of lamination, and

drive means operatively connected with said picking means and said insertion means for driving all of said means in coordinated movement for sequentially removing all from said magazine means a pair of one first type of lamination and one second type of lamination and for inserting the pair of laminations into said nest means.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said drive means reciprocates said picking means and said insertion means toward and away from said nest means.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said magazine means comprises a pair of stack receiving means for retaining said first type of laminations, one located to each side of said nest means, and a pair of stack receiving means for retaining said second type of laminations, one located to each side of said nest means, whereby insertion of tandem pairs of laminations into said nest means and proceeds by movement of laminations from two sides of said nest means theretoward.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said pairs of stack receiving means are arranged to converge upwardly for retaining stacks of laminations with the upper portions thereof leaning toward one another and said nest means and thereby for facilitating picking of laminations from the bottom of the stacks.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said nest means comprises opposing jaw means for entering and supporting a core into which laminations are to be assembled and frame means mounting the jaws for sliding movement toward and away from one another, said jaw means cooperating with said insertion means for guiding laminations being inserted into position underlying the magnetic structure and for accommodating rising movement of the magnetic structure as it is assembled.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said jaw means define cam surfaces for engaging a core into which laminations are being assembled and for expelling said jaw means from the core upon completion of assembly of the magnetic structure therewith.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each of said insertion means is arranged for movement between an erected position for engagement with a lamination to be inserted and a retracted position withdrawn from lamination engagement, said nest means comprises in-. sertor knockdown means for moving insertion means from said erected position to said retracted position, and further comprising insertor setup means adjacent said magazine means for moving insertion means from said retracted position to said erected position.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said drive means and said insertion means cooperate for passing each of said insertion means below the magnetic structure assembled at said nest means.

9. Apparatus for assembling laminations into a magnetic structure and comprising:

nest means for receiving lamination being assembled into a magnetic structure and for supporting the magnetic structure so assembled;

a plurality of magazine means each for retaining a corresponding stack of laminations and each rising upwardly at a predetermined angle to the vertical and tilted toward said nest means for facilitating picking of laminations from the bottom of the stacks, and

lamination moving means for moving laminations from said magazine means toward said nest means and for inserting laminations into assembled relation at said nest means.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said lamination moving means sequentially moves a pair of laminations in tandem from positions disposed in corresponding ones of said magazine means to intermediate positions and from intermediate positions to assembled position.

11. Apparatus for assembling laminations into a magnetic structure and comprising:

nest means for receiving laminations being assembled into a magnetic structure and for supporting the magnetic structure so assembled,

a plurality of magazine means each for retaining a corresponding stack of laminations, and

lamination moving means for sequentially moving a pair of laminations in tandem from positions disposed in corresponding ones of said magazine means to intermediate positions and from intermediate positions to assembled positions at said nest means.

12. Apparatus for assembling laminations into a magnetic structure and comprising:

a series of interchangeable nest means each for receiving corresponding sizes of laminations being assembled into a corresponding size of magnetic structure and for supporting the magnetic structure so assembled,

frame means for receiving and supporting a selected one nest means,

a plurality of magazine means each mounted on said frame means for retaining a corresponding stack of laminations sized for receipt by said selected one nest means, and

lamination moving means for moving laminations from said magazine means toward said selected one nest means and for inserting laminations into assembled relation at said selected one nest means. 

1. Apparatus for assembling laminations into a magnetic structure and comprising: first and second magazine means for respectively retaining stacks of a first type of lamination and of a second type of lamination, nest means mounted in predetermined spaced relation to said magazine means for receiving laminations being assembled into a magnetic structure and for supporting the magnetic structure so assembled, a plurality of lamination picking means each mounted adjacent a corresponding one of said magazine means for engaging one of the corresponding type of lamination and for moving the one type of lamination from the one magazine means toward said nest means and to an intermediate position, a plurality of lamination insertion means each mounted for movement between said magazine means and said nest means and each for inserting one of a corresponding type of lamination into said nest means in tandem with one of the other type of lamination, and drive means operatively connected with said picking means and said insertion means for driving all of said means in coordinated movement for sequentially removing all from said magazine means a pair of one first type of lamination and one second type of lamination and for inserting the pair of laminations into said nest means.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said drive means reciprocates said picking means and said insertion means toward and away from said nest means.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said magazine means comprises a pair of stack receiving means for retaining said first type of laminations, one located to each side of said nest meaNs, and a pair of stack receiving means for retaining said second type of laminations, one located to each side of said nest means, whereby insertion of tandem pairs of laminations into said nest means and proceeds by movement of laminations from two sides of said nest means theretoward.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said pairs of stack receiving means are arranged to converge upwardly for retaining stacks of laminations with the upper portions thereof leaning toward one another and said nest means and thereby for facilitating picking of laminations from the bottom of the stacks.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said nest means comprises opposing jaw means for entering and supporting a core into which laminations are to be assembled and frame means mounting the jaws for sliding movement toward and away from one another, said jaw means cooperating with said insertion means for guiding laminations being inserted into position underlying the magnetic structure and for accommodating rising movement of the magnetic structure as it is assembled.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said jaw means define cam surfaces for engaging a core into which laminations are being assembled and for expelling said jaw means from the core upon completion of assembly of the magnetic structure therewith.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each of said insertion means is arranged for movement between an erected position for engagement with a lamination to be inserted and a retracted position withdrawn from lamination engagement, said nest means comprises insertor knockdown means for moving insertion means from said erected position to said retracted position, and further comprising insertor setup means adjacent said magazine means for moving insertion means from said retracted position to said erected position.
 8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said drive means and said insertion means cooperate for passing each of said insertion means below the magnetic structure assembled at said nest means.
 9. Apparatus for assembling laminations into a magnetic structure and comprising: nest means for receiving lamination being assembled into a magnetic structure and for supporting the magnetic structure so assembled; a plurality of magazine means each for retaining a corresponding stack of laminations and each rising upwardly at a predetermined angle to the vertical and tilted toward said nest means for facilitating picking of laminations from the bottom of the stacks, and lamination moving means for moving laminations from said magazine means toward said nest means and for inserting laminations into assembled relation at said nest means.
 10. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said lamination moving means sequentially moves a pair of laminations in tandem from positions disposed in corresponding ones of said magazine means to intermediate positions and from intermediate positions to assembled position.
 11. Apparatus for assembling laminations into a magnetic structure and comprising: nest means for receiving laminations being assembled into a magnetic structure and for supporting the magnetic structure so assembled, a plurality of magazine means each for retaining a corresponding stack of laminations, and lamination moving means for sequentially moving a pair of laminations in tandem from positions disposed in corresponding ones of said magazine means to intermediate positions and from intermediate positions to assembled positions at said nest means.
 12. Apparatus for assembling laminations into a magnetic structure and comprising: a series of interchangeable nest means each for receiving corresponding sizes of laminations being assembled into a corresponding size of magnetic structure and for supporting the magnetic structure so assembled, frame means for receiving and supporting a selected one nest means, a plurality of magazine means each mounted on said frame means for retaininG a corresponding stack of laminations sized for receipt by said selected one nest means, and lamination moving means for moving laminations from said magazine means toward said selected one nest means and for inserting laminations into assembled relation at said selected one nest means. 